Weekend event planner

Here are the top 10 things to do in Houston this weekend

The weekend is near, so punch out, wind down and start planning. Read on for your guide to the best things to do in Houston. From an extra cheesy festival to some amazing concerts, your weekend starts here.

For more options, check out the full CultureMap Events Calendar.

Spanish wine
Thursday, April 13: The “Dynamic Spain Wine Tasting” event at downtown’s Pappas Bros. Steakhouse (5:30 pm; tickets: $75 per person) showcases several unique vintages, including Godello, Rafael Palacios "As Sortes", Valdeorras 2014; Priorat Blanco, Celler Piñol “L’ Avi Arrifo" 2011; and Listán Blanco, Suertes del Marques "Vidonia", Canary Islands 2014. Seasonal hors d’oeuvres, the chef’s pick, will also be served. 1200 McKinney St.; 713-658-1995

Class is in session
Thursday, April 13: From the history of shochu to how it’s made, learn all about the Japanese liquor at Izakaya’s “Shochu for Dummies” class (6:30 pm; tickets: $45 per person). You'll also enjoy shochu tastings, both straight-up and in cocktails, along with food pairings by executive chef Jean Philippe Gaston. 318 Gray St.; 713-527-8988

Disney day
Friday, April 14-Sunday, April 16: Grab the kids and head to Memorial City Mall (various times; tickets: free but limited. Sign up here) for your fill of all things Disney/Pixar’s Cars 3: Road to the Races (scheduled to hit theaters June 16) related. Activities include a sneak peek of the film in a mobile movie theater, visits — and selfie opps - with life-size, character look-alikes, a movie-themed play area, and more. 303 Memorial City

Concert fun
Friday, April 14: Musical group the Isley Brothers hits the stage at Arena Theatre (7 pm; tickets: $49.50-$59.50 per person). The band, first formed in the early '50s, has enjoyed a long and influential career. Their hit singles include "This Old Heart of Mine," "It's Your Thing," "Love the One You're With," and "Who's That Lady." 7326 Southwest Fwy.; 713-772-5900

More concert fun
Friday, April 14: Although Morrissey, the former front man of The Smiths, canceled his San Antonio appearance Wednesday night due to health concerns, the Houston show is still on, according to a tour spokesperson, who adds that the concert has been moved from White Oak Music Hall to the Smart Financial Centre (8 pm; tickets: $49.50-$58 per person). Although the Smiths disbanded in 1987, Morrissey has gone on to have a successful solo career boasting 49 singles and 12 top 10 albums. Hits by the indie rock/Britpop singer include “Everyday is Like Sunday,” Suedehead,” and "The Last of the Famous International Playboys." 18111 Lexington Blvd, Sugar Land; 281-207-6278

Airport fest
Saturday, April 15: Celebrating Hobby Airport, HobbyFest offers a lineup that’s fun for the whole family including vintage aircraft, a kiddie zone, and DJ (10 am; tickets: free). Admission is free, but attendees are encouraged to bring a canned food as donation. Hobby Airport, east ramp at 8402 Nelms St.; 713-213-0908

Pedal away
Saturday, April 15: Midtown Houston and BikeHouston team up for a bike ride (10 am - 12 pm; tickets: free), that begins at Bagby Park and continues to downtown and to Montrose, with a stop for refreshments at Rico's Morning Noon Night. 415 Gray St.; 713-526-7577

Get cheesy
Saturday, April 15: Cheese it up at the Mac and Cheese Festival at Silver Street Studios (12-4 pm; tickets: $50-$80 per person), featuring bites from 36 restaurants (think Jonathan’s the Rub, Luby’s, Peli Peli, and Ritual), plus sips several breweries from City Acre Brewing to Karbach. 2000 Edwards St.

Catch a buzz
Saturday, April 15: Expect performances by a laundry list of bands, including Godsmack, Breaking Benjamin, P.O.D., Red Sun Rising, The Unlikely Candidates, and the Toadies, at 94.5 FM’s 2017 Buzzfest (1 pm; tickets: $43-$73 per person) at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. 2005 Lake Robbins Dr., The Woodlands; 281-363-3300

Hop to it
Sunday, April 16: Houston's most festive Easter party continues with the 38th edition of Bunnies on the Bayou (1-6 pm; tickets: $50-$100 per person), at Fish Plaza in front of downtown’s Wortham Center. Join thousands of Houstonians at the massive outdoor cocktail party. All proceeds from the event benefit local charities in the LGBT community. 501 Texas Ave.

Downtown’s Pappas Bros. Steakhouse hosts the “Dynamic Spain Wine Tasting” event .

Pappas Bros Steakhouse downtown wine glasses

Photo courtesy of Pappas Bros. Steakhouse

Downtown’s Pappas Bros. Steakhouse hosts the “Dynamic Spain Wine Tasting” event .

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Concert News

Jack Johnson rides into Houston on surf-themed 2026 tour

Photo by Tahnei Roy

Jack Johnson will play at Dos Equis Pavilion in Dallas on August 30, 2026.

Singer-songwriter Jack Johnson, known his for laidback surf-rock music, will embark on the SURFILMUSIC Tour in 2026, which will include a stop at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands on Friday, August 28.

The expansive 43-date North American tour, which starts on June 19 in Gilford, New Hampshire, will have three separate legs.

The three Texas dates — The Woodlands on August 28, Austin on August 29, and Dallas on August 30 — will be part of the second leg, where Johnson will be joined by Lake Street Dive.

The tour is Johnson’s first since 2022 and will celebrate a new era of music, film, and environmental connection rooted in his 20+ year career.

Johnson is touring in support of a forthcoming soundtrack, scored by Johnson and Hermanos Gutiérrez for a new documentary, SURFILMUSIC, that chronicles Johnson’s evolution from surfer to filmmaker to musician.

The film, which will be released in 2026, weaves through the making of his iconic surf films Thicker Than Water (1999) and The September Sessions (2000), which paved the way for his music career.

It celebrates the lifelong friendships and ocean-driven community that shaped Johnson’s path, and features many of the surfers who appeared in the original films, including Kelly Slater, Rob Machado, and the Malloy Brothers.

Johnson released his first album, Brushfire Fairytales, in 2001, and he has gone on to put out eight other albums, most recently Meet the Moonlight in 2022.

Fans can register for the Jack Johnson presale at jackjohnsonmusic.com, now through Sunday, November 9. The presale begins Monday, November 10, 2025 at 10 am local time and runs through general on-sale date of Friday, November 14.

Jack Johnson SURFILMUSIC 2026 Tour Dates

June 19 – Gilford, NH – Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion
June 20 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center
June 21 – Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
June 24 – Saratoga, NY – Saratoga Performing Arts Center
June 26 – Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion
June 27 – Philadelphia, PA – Highmark Mann Center
June 28 – Wantagh, NY – Northwell at Jones Beach Theater
June 30 – Toronto, ON – RBC Amphitheatre
July 1 – Canandaigua, NY – CMAC
July 3 – Burgettstown, PA – Pavilion at Star Lake
July 4 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center
July 5 – Grand Rapids, MI – Acrisure Amphitheater
July 7 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center
July 8 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
July 10 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
July 11 – Chicago, IL – Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island
July 12 – Shakopee, MN – Minnesota Quarry Amphitheater
August 18 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre
August 19 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
August 21 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
August 22 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park
August 23 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
August 25 – Nashville, TN – Ascend Amphitheater
August 26 – Orange Beach, AL – The Wharf Amphitheater
August 28 – The Woodlands, TX – Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion
August 29 – Austin, TX – Germania Insurance Amphitheater
August 30 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion
September 1 – Riverside, MO – MORTON Amphitheater
September 2 – Greenwood Village, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
September 3 – Greenwood Village, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
September 4 – West Valley City, UT – USANA Amphitheatre
September 6 – Stateline, NV – Lake Tahoe Amphitheatre at Caesars Republic
September 26 – George, WA – The Gorge Amphitheatre
September 27 – Bend, OR – Hayden Homes Amphitheater
September 28 – Troutdale, OR – McMenamins Edgefield Amphitheater
September 30–October 1 – Berkeley, CA – The Greek Theatre
October 3 – Santa Barbara, CA – Santa Barbara Bowl
October 4 – Santa Barbara, CA – Santa Barbara Bowl
October 6 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre
October 9 – Chula Vista, CA – North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre
October 10– Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl
October 11– Los Angeles, CA – Hollywood Bowl

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